What's New at KidsPeace

News and Notes from KidsPeace

May is Foster Care Month, a time to say "Thank you" to foster families and staff member who place children in safe, supportive foster homes. KidsPeace has foster care offices across the country that specialize in placing regular and treatment foster care children with well trained, well matched families who provide wonderful care and positive environments to children from all backgrounds.

"We show our appreciation to our dedicated foster parents throughout the year, but, in May, we try to reach out and thank these families with special events, picnics, dinners and individual recognition of all that they do," says KidsPeace Executive Director of Foster Care and Community Programs Ray Culp. "It takes very special people to open their hearts and homes to children who have been separated from their families and need adults to give them structure and guidance during a very difficult time in their lives."

Foster families provide homes for children who are stepping down from residential treatment facilities, have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or emotional, mental or physical issues that cannot be addressed in their homes. They often require many types of treatment and counseling outside the foster home, and foster parents spend many hours driving them to appointments, participating in counseling sessions and taking them to visit family members. It is not an easy job, and many children take a long time to adjust and learn to trust their foster families.

There is a growing number of older children and teens who need foster homes, and these kids who need the care the most are often the hardest to place. These children need assistance learning independent living skills, planning their educations, or finding employment after they have graduated. KidsPeace assists foster children prepare for the future and stresses the importance of education and training.

KidsPeace foster care offices actively recruit foster parents through a variety of media and then carefully screen these volunteers and provide extensive training to help them care for the children who will live in their homes. Our associates are available 24/7 to assist foster families and children with any questions, issues or services that may be needed.

During this special awareness month, KidsPeace Foster Care encourages adults who are over 21, have flexible schedules, can provide privacy and supervision, have a means of support, have room in their homes and hearts and a means of transportation to contact us to learn more about becoming a foster parent. Call 866-454-3773 for more information or visit the foster care page on this site.

We thank the hundreds of foster parents who provide love and support to our foster children and acknowledge the hard work and loving care they give our children and teens every day.